Today, I will be sharing the 3 Valentine's Trees in our Living Room which is decorated in red and gold for Valentine's Day and the month of February which is America Heart Month.....
But before I go any further, I want to mention something that I have usually kept to myself other years here on the Blog as I do not like making a big deal about it....
Today is my Birthday........
I may have mentioned it in briefly here on my blog in past years but always after it was already over....
For the past 33 years, after my Mother sold the house that I grew up in 3 months after my Dad passed away, I have chosen to forego the big Birthday family celebration that my Mother had insisted upon which consisted of a family dinner that included my sister and her whole family with everyone singing Happy Birthday and a big spectacle of opening presents....
32 years ago, I chose to celebrate it very quietly, usually always working on my Birthday unless it fell on a regularly scheduled day off, with just a nice Take Home dinner from a favorite restaurant, at home, with Joe and our sons......
Can I tell you how this annoyed my Mother when she was alive???? She hated how I chose to celebrate my Birthday and that it did not include her...
Joe and I stopped exchanging gifts about 2 decades ago....
Now please do not interpret this as some sort of Rebellion against Aging or anything like that....
In fact, as a cancer survivor, I have been very grateful to celebrate one more year of being alive....
But I believe in doing it with grace and dignity.....
It is just not my "Thing" to make a big splash, especially in public, about it being my Birthday......
I told Joe when we first started dating if he ever took me to dinner on my Birthday and had them sing to me or ever threw me a party, especially a surprise party, that I would walk out and leave him sitting there.....
He never did because he knew without a doubt that that is exactly what I would do.....
So why am I telling you all of this today, on my Birthday, you must be wondering??????
Because Today is my 62nd BIRTHDAY!!
42 years ago, when I became a Nurse and started working in a profession that was chosen for me by my Mother, I dreamed of the day that I could RETIRE!!!!
Being a Nurse was NEVER what I wanted do in life.....
And even though fate would have it that I ended up resigning this past August, TODAY, on January 31st, 2020, when I turn 62 years old and will shortly start to receive my Social Security benefits, was supposed to be my official Retirement date!!
I NOW get to do what I want to do!!!
We will have a little celebration....
We are going to a Hockey game tonight with our nieces and celebrating tomorrow with our usual pizza party with our sons and daughter-in-law, at home, quietly......
Again, nothing big and showy but that is just how I like it!!
And I can not tell you how happy I am to be 62 years old and now officially RETIRED!!!!!
Okay, enough of that......
I have decorated the Living Room in red and gold for Valentine's Day and the month of February.....
I have decorated 3 Trees in the Living Room for Valentine's Day......
Let's take a look at the 7 foot Tree in the corner.......
I started to decorate the Tree with red and gold rose ornaments that I bought at Big Lot's a few years back.....
As will the platform underneath it......
A Valentine's Bearington Bear.........
I hope you enjoyed seeing my 3 red and gold Valentine's Trees in the Living Room.....
Thanks to those who took the time out of their busy day to spend a little bit of time with me!!
If you do not have a blog, PLEASE give me some way to reply to your comment, maybe by including your email in your comment. If I can not find a way to reach you, I will reply on the post where you commented so please check back......
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Enjoy YOUR DAY, Debbie, however way you wish! But remember there are a lot of folks who want to wish you the best day ever! Me included!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, a very big and happy birthday. I hope it's filled with all the good things that are just what you want! And thanks for the reminder -- I really do need to throw a few Valentine things together! It's almost here!
ReplyDeleteIt's no surprise to me that you have decorated for Valentine's day with the same enthusiasm as Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! And Happy Retirement! I know just where you are coming from. In 2001, someone let it slip that they were planning a surprise 25th wedding anniversary party for us. I was sick to my stomach. I was trying to figure out how to politely approach the party planners, how to notify all the people they invited not to come. It was too late. It was horrible. And to make matters worse, at that time I made Christmas gifts for all my friends and neighbors, and delivered cookie trays for acquaintances. I sent Christmas cards to people I really didn't see anymore. They used my Christmas card list to invite people. So when my friends heard about the party, they were upset they were not invited. It was a year of apologies while showering the party planners with praise because they had hurt feelings I was not excited enough about it.
ReplyDeleteI celebrated my 60th with my 3 month old granddaughter. I fixed myself a fancy tea tray and even went to a bakery to buy a few individual fancy desserts. And for my 70th, I am planning to get a hotel room, by myself, for a weekend.
Due to my father's illnesses and subsequent legal issues with a girl friend, I had to leave my job early. I was able to claim my pension at 60, but I am planning a private celebration when I turn 65 since that is when I thought I would retire.
Happy Birthday!! I believe that you should celebrate any way you wish. And I need to break out the hearts. I'm way behind over here. I still have Christmas lights in my kitchen window. I'm not ready to give up the sparkle.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Debbie!! I know the joy of getting that first social security check - I started getting mine last year! Always enjoy your birthday in your own way!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful birthday!!
Blessings, Linda
Linda,
DeleteThanks so much !! I did have a great Birthday!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Happy Birthday Debbie, may this special day overflow with many blessings, love your Valentine's Day decorations, I didn't decorate for V day this year, due to dh's surgery.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and for all of the helpful advice.
Blessings,
Sue
Aww Happy Birthday Debbie! I hope you have a nice time celebrating it with your family. I like all of your Valentine's Day decorations. Thanks too for the blog visit today!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Debbie! I'm glad you get to celebrate the way you want to. After all, it is your day. I don't like being made a fuss over either as I don't enjoy a lot of attention. Love your big tree! I have my little tree still sitting in the dining room which I will use for my Valentine tree this year although the four foot one is still up in the family room. Sorry I haven't been around a lot lately. I took about a month's break and just started blogging again. All the best to you in the coming year. Hugs and many blessings...Sandi
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Debbie. I hope your day was great celebrating with your family. Age is just a number.
ReplyDeleteYour living room is awesome. I love your gold tree.
What a joy to visit your blog today and have the tour of those stunning trees, they are a real delight a feast for the eyes. Wishing you a happy Birthday and a wonderful retirement. Time to do do exactly what you want to do.
ReplyDeleteHappy 62nd Birthday Debbie! 🎉🎈🎂🎁🎈
ReplyDeleteHappy retirement too!
Hope you have a fantastic quiet day with family!
J,
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by and for your Birthday and Retirement wishes!! I could not find any other way to get in touch with you so I am doing so here...
Hugs,
Deb
Happy Birthday Debbie. I will turn 62 in April. So we were both born in 1958!!! I am with you about celebrating our birthday's with grace and dignity. I have never been one for the hoopla for birthdays. Enjoy your day. The Valentine's Day tree and all the decor you have for this holiday is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy.
xoxo
Kris
Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday! Best wishes: Love, Peace,Health,Friendship,Happiness...God bless you!What an adorable Valentine's tree!
ReplyDeleteIt's really a good thing your retired....because I don't know how one could do all this and work, too! Amazing decor---and way beyond my energy level at this point. We live such a quiet life---that just a visit from the grand once in awhile is about it! Hugs and I'm sure you are ready for Valentine's Day, more than anyone else in blogland!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday; I think you should celebrate your birthday ANY way you want anytime.And I hope you are enjoying your retirement; it took me a while to get the hang of it! Personally, I like a small deal made of mine with immediate family and a nice meal out caz that is a treat for me. And if I get wishes and gifts late, it delightfully stretches out the occasion! My ex and his wife used to get subs for the kids and go to the beach on Mother's Day and I LOVED that tradition, too. Making traditions you love (especially with kids) is what's important! I just love your 7' tree. I have to admit that although I have made garlands to sell, have filled a bag with V. goodies for my Secret Pal at church, and will make a bunch of Valentines for a bunch of people, I have only added a red glittered V. sign to my Christmas wreathe. Am busy getting ready for the 2/15 dollhouse/train show where I rent tables and sell my dh crafts.
ReplyDeleteKathy,
DeleteThanks so much for the Birthday wishes....I am enjoying my retirement very much so!! Now that I have the house decorated for Winter and Valentine's Day, I hope to do a bit of crafting!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Oh Wow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you had just the kind of birthday you wanted!
ReplyDeleteI was never a fan of all that sitting round looking at the birthday person opening their presents when I was a kid either - SO embarrassing! I really struggled on our wedding day to for exactly the same reason, could people stop looking at me please!
How wonderful to have a partner who understands that you mean it when you say ' no surprise parties!'
Congrats on the official retirement too.
Happy belated birthday Debbie. I am finally visiting a few blogs after fighting this awful cold. The Valentine tree are so pretty. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteYour place is so decorate for Valentine's Day. I have not done anything. Being away put me way behind. Congratulations, you are being featured on over The Moon linky Party.
I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/02/over-moon-linky-party_9.html
Hugs,
Bev
Happy retirement birthday, Debbie! Thanks for sharing your lovely Valentine's trees @Vintage Charm!
ReplyDelete